Marshfield raises homeowner lateral replacement reimbursement to $1,500 for 2026

The Marshfield Board of Public Works voted to raise the homeowner reimbursement for sanitary sewer lateral replacement from $1,000 to $1,500 beginning in 2026, with an additional $500 available for laterals longer than 90 feet or deeper than 12 feet.

Mark Levy, the city’s water/wastewater superintendent, laid out the rationale: infiltration and inflow (I&I) from cracked or defective sewer laterals can overwhelm the system during rain and spring melt, and encouraging property owners to replace private laterals is an important mitigation step. Levy said the reimbursement program is funded from the wastewater utility 601 account, not the general tax levy, and that $70,000 is budgeted for 2026 — sufficient to cover roughly 46 reimbursements at the proposed $1,500 rate. He noted average recent participation is about 35 properties per year.

Board members pressed staff on homeowner costs and program timing. Levy estimated replacement costs at "in the neighborhood of $3,000 to probably $9,000," and said the new reimbursement would cover only a portion of typical costs. Board member Natasha asked whether a $2,000 incentive might be more effective; Levy and other members suggested monitoring participation and returning to the board if adjustments are needed. The board discussed outreach tied to street rehabilitation projects; Levy said letters are sent to property owners on streets scheduled for mill or overlay or reconstruction.

A motion to adopt the increased reimbursement and related program terms carried on a voice vote. Staff said it will proceed within the 2026 budget and continue outreach as part of scheduled street projects.